A Florida tour favorite, spilling over with upbeat, high-energy dance tunes, the Emily Ann Thompson Band returns to Gainesville. A national touring artist with three albums and another in the works, the contra-thrall has electrified the air in past performances.

"Super-stoked" to work with Emily Ann again, is Angela DeCarlis, a "local gal returning from the Big City". The combination has packed the hall in previous tours. Angela's recent adventures include calling dances in the Boston area and beyond.

Every fifth Sunday, the GODS holds an Advanced Dance. What does that mean? There will be no introductory workshop and the dances will not cater to beginning dancers. If you have been to at least three regular dances, you are welcome to join us at the Advanced Dance! This is a great way to increase your dance skills! This Sunday, September 29, Ron Buchanan﻿ from Pittsburgh will be our caller. Ron is a much sought-after caller across the country so don't miss out. Playing the tunes will be "Hot Potatoes." Suggested donation is $8/$5 for students and under 21.

This Sunday, May 4, come dance to tunes played by Just Twistin' Hay from
central Florida, and dances called by Richard Hopkins who's driving in from
Tallahassee! The dance begins at 4:00 at the Thelma Boltin Center (516 NE
2nd. Ave.), and there is an introductory workshop for new dancers at 3:30.
Admission is $8, $5 for students. Childcare is provided. Bring a snack to
share and a cup or water bottle to reduce waste. See you there!

Tumbling in with humor and old-time style, the award-winning Briar Pickers aim to stick to your dance fancy. Musical influences including Swing, Classical and Civil War era music showcase a flair for variety sure to please and entertain discerning dancers.

Eric Harris will be calling the dances to the music of "the Briarpickers", 4pm, October 6 at the Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Ave. Introductory workshop for beginning dancers starts at 3:30pm and is highly recommended! Experienced dancers, be there early to partner with those newcomers and help them have the time of their lives!

* June 21:. Join us Saturday, June 21 for an appearance of the Road Scholars, a four
person ensemble of musicians that will be both familiar and new. Composed
of musicians from the Gadabouts, who wowed the June 1 dance, Gumbo Limbo
(Cajun spice, maybe? ), the Fishcamp Cutups and the Yazoo Kickstarts, their
tunes will be sure to please.

Rocking Contra into the 22nd Century and beyond, Contraforce merges music we know and love with psychedelia, surf rock, and metal to expand your mind and stretch your dance mojo. Embrace the future, throw open your perceptions and dare yourself to swim in the constancy of change.

Keeping faith at the mike, Emily Abel, a bicyclist and avid volunteer from Winston-Salem, NC, "is very excited to call a dance for YOU!"

Richard Hopkins of Tallahassee will be calling the dances to the music of "Whistlin' Thieves", 8pm, October 19 at the Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Ave. Introductory workshop for beginning dancers starts at 7:30pm and is highly recommended! Experienced dancers, be there early to partner with those newcomers and help them have the time of their lives!

Can mathematicians count and call contra dances at the same time? Come find out Sunday June 29 when Jonathan King guides us down the rabbit hole through choice contra-ptions of contra Wonderland.

Dances and figures from, or beyond, your wildest imagination may appear on the dance floor before you have a chance to cry 'help'! Come, stretch your dancing skills--and your mind--in the company of other daring dancers!

Playing for our dance will be a local favorite The Yazoo Kickstarts with Bill Paine, Mike Stapleton, Marietta Massey and David Massey.

Closing out the contra year, our ever-popular "old acquaintances", Kumquats at Large will play a dance not likely to be forgotten! Let's join together in dancing out 2014.

Our caller, Sam Rotenberg, is taking a break from calling In Philly and various other frozen locales to warm up a dance for us. Having also called at NEFFA and Pinewoods and being an English Country dancer, an interesting dance is sure to be afoot.